The Buzz magazines

Chris Shepherd squints into the morning sun. A family of three then approaches the acclaimed chef and asks whether there is a breakfast spot at the Houston Farmers Market on Airline Drive. The Robb Report’s 2019 world’s best chef frequently fields these questions from first-time visitors, which are expected because his restaurant, Wild Oats, was the first to open after the historic open-air market received a $10 million-plus face-lift.

Nick Fine, Wild Oats’ chef-partner and Underbelly Hospitality culinary director, who was standing next to his boss, dashes into their five-month-old restaurant, then reappears with fresh orange juice in to-go cups for the disheartened visitors upon learning the bad news. “Thanks, man. You did a solid,” Chris says, watching the family walk across the green lawn to their car.